"I must ask you to pay something in advance, to secure the room, gentlemen."

Sam had no luggage beyond a small bundle, and he answered at once, "I'll pay a week in advance."

"Thank you, sir."

Sam handed the landlady ten dollars and received in return three.

"I'll pay you to-morrow," said Blodgett. "I've got to get the money from my cousin."

"I'll wait till to-morrow to oblige you," said the landlady, "but no longer."

"Oh, I'll have the money then," said Abner, confidently.

"Will you be here to dinner, gentlemen?"

"When do you have dinner?"

"At six o'clock. We used to have it in the middle of the day, but it was inconvenient to some of our boarders, and we changed it."

"We have dinner to hum, where I live, at noon," said Abner.

"We have lunch at half-past twelve, if you choose to come."

"I guess we will," said Abner. "We'll go out and take a walk, Mr.

Barker, and come back in time."

"Just as you say," answered Sam.

After a walk they returned to lunch. Sam was usually possessed of a good appetite, but he stared in astonishment when he saw Blodgett eat.

That young man appeared to have fasted for a week, and ate accordingly.

"What's the matter with you, Mr. Barker? You don't eat nothin'," he said.

"I had a late breakfast," said Sam. "I guess you'll get your money's worth."

"I mean to. Seven dollars is an awful lot to pay for board. Up to hum they don't charge but three."

"Then I wish they'd open a branch boarding-house here."

"Suppose we go over to Bunker Hill?" said Sam, after lunch. "I want to see the monument."

"Just as you say," said Abner.

"We can ask the way."

"There's some cars go over that way, I've heerd," said Abner.

As they were walking down Washington Street a young man, rather flashily attired, stopped Blodgett, whom he appeared to recognize.

"What's in the wind now?" he asked. "Who have you got in tow?"

"It's my friend, Mr. Barker."

"How do you do, Mr. Barker?" said the young man, who appeared very much amused about something.

"How's your father, the deacon?" he inquired of Blodgett, and laughed again.

"Pretty smart," said Blodgett.

"Just give him my respects when you write, will you?"

"I won't forget,"

The new acquaintance winked, and went his way. Sam was rather surprised at his manner, and also at the fact of his countrified companion being apparently on intimate terms with a person so different in appearance.

"Who is that?" he asked.

"That's a young man from our town," said Mr. Blodgett. "He's been living in Boston for five or six years. He's got a good place in Milk Street."

"What sort of a fellow is he?"

"You don't say nothin' about it," said Abner, looking about him as if fearing to be overheard; "but I'm afraid he's a fast young man."

"Shouldn't wonder," said Sam.

"I've heard that he plays cards!" added Abner, in a horrified whisper.

"Very likely," said Sam, amused.

He had had some suspicions of his companion, occasioned by the apparent good understanding between him and the young man they had met, but this remark dissipated them. He felt amused by the verdancy of Abner Blodgett, and anticipated a good deal of entertainment from his remarks.

They took the horse cars to Bunker Hill; Sam paid the fare both ways, as his companion did not expect to have any money till tomorrow. He did not relish lending, his own stock of money being so scanty; but Abner was so confident of being in funds the next day that he did not refuse. He was interested in the view from the summit of the monument, and spent an additional hour in exploring Charlestown. When the two got back to Boston they found the afternoon well advanced and the dinner hour near.

CHAPTER XXIV.

AN UNPLEASANT SURPRISE.

After dinner Sam and his roommate took a walk. As they passed the Boston theater, Abner proposed going in; but Sam knew very well that the expense of both tickets would come upon him, and declined.

"I am tired," he said; "I've been walking about all day, and, besides, I got up very early in the morning. I would rather go home and go to bed."

"Lend me a dollar, and I'll go," said Abner. "I don't feel sleepy."

"Not much," answered Sam. "When you've got your money, it will be time enough to go to the theater; but if you haven't got any more than I have, you'd better not go to the theater much."